Mar 5, 2026

AFAR

The coolest underground restaurants, art spaces, and speakeasies hidden inside NYC subway stations

Mar 5, 2026

AFAR

The coolest underground restaurants, art spaces, and speakeasies hidden inside NYC subway stations

A tasteful selection awaits underground in New York City.

There is a variety of high-quality, unexpected businesses operating within the New York City subway system, transforming transit hubs into destinations for dining and culture. Key highlights include Nōksu, a Michelin-starred restaurant at the 34th Street–Herald Square station offering an upscale Korean-inspired tasting menu, and See No Evil Pizza, a punk-inspired eatery at the 50th Street station serving elevated, long-fermented pies. Beyond these culinary spots, the underground network features hidden gems like the Nothing Really Matters speakeasy, the historic Siberia Bar dive, and community-focused spaces like the Soundbooth at 81st for live music, proving that the city's "underworld" holds far more than just commuters and trains.

Article author:

Diana Hubbell

Photo credit:

Alex Truong (L); Byrnne Levy (R)